Charles X of France

Charles X (1757 to 1836) was King of France from 16 September 1824 until 2 August 1830. Born Charles Philippe at Versailles and styled Count of Artois, he was the younger brother of Louis XVI and Louis XVIII and became leader of the ultra-royalists after the Bourbon Restoration, a faction that upheld absolute monarchy by divine right and opposed the Charter of 1814. His reign revived the royal touch at his 1825 coronation, compensated former landowners for the abolition of feudalism, strengthened the Catholic Church and approved the conquest of Algeria. After the government of Prince Jules de Polignac lost the 1830 election, his July Ordinances dissolving the Chamber, limiting the franchise and restoring press censorship provoked the July Revolution. He abdicated, Louis Philippe I took the throne, and Charles died in exile at Gorizia.